MSI has become the latest company to announce a major foray into the world of PC handheld gaming, announcing the MSI Claw at CES 2024. As revealed, the device appears to be a hybrid of a Steam Deck and the ASUS ROG Ally, with a slimline chassis packed with up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, and a battery designed for extended play.
Per MSI, the device lasts “50% longer” compared to the market average for handheld gaming PCs, while also supporting high-performance games and multi-tasking. On paper, the device appears to address some major concerns around existing handheld PC gaming devices, with the MSI Claw seeming to be a product of careful iteration and years-long analysis.
Early impressions from CES 2024 suggest it will be a fighting contender in the handheld PC gaming market, with many critics noting its ergonomic design, the potential of its battery, and promising software UI.
Read: Asus ROG Ally Review – Flawed but fantastic
Speaking to IGN, Clifford Chun, System Product Managing Director at MSI said the device was defined by several major factors. For one thing, the team at MSI spent two years developing the Claw to ensure it had adequate battery, and that it was ergonomic for users.
“The reason why we waited until now to launch the product is because we want to have a two-hour battery life, and we need to find the correct battery alongside the CPU,” Chun said. “The Intel Core Ultra actually helps us to achieve that, and that’s the reason why we didn’t launch the product until now … we want to ensure the user experience is great.”
“The outlook itself is we want to make sure that you don’t have to learn how to use this thing. You want to be someone that just, hands-on, it feels right. That’s how we designed the idea of it.”
MSI Claw: Specifications
As detailed, the MSI Claw will feature the following specifications:
- OS: Windows 11 Home
- CPU: Up to the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 155H
- Display: 7-inch FHD 120Hz display
- Battery: 52 WHr
- Other Features: Hi-Res Audio, Wi-Fi 7 Ready, Hall Effect triggers and joysticks
Currently, the device is expected to release in the second half of 2024. Three models have been announced so far:
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125U w/ 512GB Storage – US $699
- Intel Core Ultra 7 155H w/ 512GB Storage – US $749
- Intel Core Ultra 7 155H w/ 1TB Storage – US $799
Stay tuned for more news about the MSI Claw, including local price points and a release date for your region.
